Paint distributor attachments for rotary-powered paint brushes



1 6 1955 J. w. CARPENTER PAINT DISTRIBUTOR ATTACHMENTS FORROTARY-POWERED PAINT BRUSHES Filed May 15, 1964 JAMES W CARPENTERINVENTOR.

BY mJww4 QM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,225 372 PAINT DISTRIBUTORiATTACHMENTS FOR ROTARY-POWERED PAINT BRUSHES James W. Carpenter, 1333Winhurst Drive, Akron, Ohio Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,729 6Claims. (Cl. 15-29) This invention relates to rotary-powered paintbrushes and similar liquid-applying implements for work surfaces, and isdirected particularly to: improved, manually controlled liquiddistributor attachments for such rotarypowered brushes; and thecombination of rotary-powered brushes and liquid distributorattachments.

Various well-known implements are employed for applying paint and otherliquids to work surfaces. The manually held paint brush and paint rollerare manually moved back and forth in applying paint while a spray gunapplies paint in an air spray action, just to mention conventionalexamples. The rotary movement of the paint roller for transferring paintto a work surface depends on a rolling frictional engagement with thework surface as the roller is manually pushed. The paint brush transmitsits load of paint to the work surface by back-and-forth or sidewisesweeping strokes, the direction of such strokes varying in accordancewith the character of the paint used and the character of the worksurface. The spray gun depends on high pressure to force a dilutedmaterial through the air onto a work surface.

The brush may be more advantageously used at times, rather than theroller, because the brush bristles can reach into comers, crevices, pockmarks and the like. The roller may be more advantageous in the hands ofthe nonprofessional painter for avoiding unsightly brush strokes, or maybe used for rapid coverage of an area of work surface conducive to suchapplication irrespective of the professional or nonprofessional abilityof the operator. The spray gun may be more advantageous at times ratherthan either a roller or a hand brush for certain types of work, but itrequires for its use, generally, a diluted material and an extremelyhigh pressure.

In the case of the brush or roller, the physical exertion of theoperator is substantial, and tends to be more so, especially when abrush is employed for use with a coarse or irregular work surface. Thetime necessary for covering a given area of work surface is alsodependent upon the type of implement, whether brush, roller or spraygun, the character of the paint or liquid being applied, and thecharacter of the work surface. In the case of the spray gun, a certainamount of over-spray is unavoidable and the paint cannot be confined tosmall areas or within narrow limits. Furthermore, spray tends to traveland t0 contaminate the surrounding atmosphere.

Increased speed, accuracy and, accordingly, reduced time and bettercontrol in the application of full-bodied paints or other liquids towork surfaces can be obtained by employing a rotary-powered brush. Also,less physical exertion is required by the use of this type of brush ascompared to a hand brush or roller because the paint or liquid is spreadand applied by the powered rotary motion of the brush. The only physicalexertion required is that of holding and guiding the rotary-poweredbrush, much like guiding a spray gun, and bearing the brush against thework surface with sufiicient force to hold the brush in engagement withsuch work surface. The use of this brush is especially effective withrough and coarse work surfaces and with narrow and confined areas. It isalso effective on any other type of surface that is normally painted.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple buteffective means for delivering paint or other liquids in manuallycontrolled continuous flow to 3,225,372 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 ice therotary-powered type of brush described in the preceding paragraph.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotarypowered brush anda liquid distributor attachment as a combination.

Other objects inherent in the nature and character of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe drawings and description which follow.

In the drawings, which form a part of the disclosure of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows in elevation a rotary-powered brush;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the liquid distributordevice provided with an integrally formed spiral embossing on the insidesurface thereof;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the cup brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a view partly in section of a further embodiment of a cupbrush and a liquid distributor device illustrating a configurationdifferent from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3; and

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a different arrangement of the cupbrush and the liquid distributor device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In reference to the drawings, the rotary-powered brush implement 10comprises a motorized handle 12, a cupshaped brush 14 and a liquiddistributor device 16 to and through which a conduit 18 is connected forconducting paint or other types of liquids.

The motorized handle 12 is of such size as to be normally grasped in onehand and may contain or be connected to an electric motor (notspecifically shown), or may be pneumatically or hydraulically powered(not shown) to power a drive shaft 20. The primary functions served bythe handle, obviously, are those of providing a support for the driveshaft 20 and shaft-connected brush 14 and for enabling the operator tomanipulate the brush in applying paint or other types of liquids to awork surface, and the manner by which the drive shaft is powered is ofno inventive consequence in the present invention. Inasmuch as it ispreferable, for purposes of illustration, to refer to an electric motoras being contained within the handle, the electric cable or cord forsuch electric motor is shown at 22 in FIG. 1.

The rotary brush 14 is preferably cup-shaped in configuration and has ahollow center and is preferably known in the art as a cup brush. Theterm cup brush will be employed herein to refer generically to ahollowcentered brush having bristles flared radially outwardly tovarious extents in projection from the cup-shaped back or hub 24, aswell as to a hollow-centered brush 14 having bristles projecting fromthe hub at right angles to the hub in cylindrical configuration alongwith a distributor device 16 with matching configuration (shown in FIG.4). In the flared bristle type of cup brush, paint and/or other types ofliquids are swirled onto the work surface by the bristle ends and thesides of the bristles closely adjacent the bristle ends. In the straightbristle projection type of cup brush, paint and/or other types of liquidare swirled onto the work surface primarily by the bristle ends,although, depending on the pressure employed to bear the brush againstthe work surface, there may be some engagement of the bristle sides.

The cup-shaped back or hub 24 (or 24' of brush 14' in FIG. 4) of therotary brush 14 may be joined to the handle drive shaft 20 in anysuitable manner which would enable brushes to be readily operativelyconnected to and disconnected from the handle. The length of thebristles projecting from the hub will usually depend on the character ofthe work surface and the paint or liquid to be applied.

The liquid distributor device 16 is suitably non-rotatively connected tothe handle 12, as by collar which is threadingly connected to collar 27(as illustrated in FIG. 4 and wherein corresponding reference numbersidentifying like elements are provided with prime marks to denote thedifferent embodiment) on the projecting end 13 of handle 12, to encircleand project like a cap over the hub of the rotary brush and part way ofthe length of the bristles when the brush is operatively connected tothe handle. The distributor device is designed to have a configurationsimilar to the outside configuration of the rotary brush and thus mayalso be termed cupshaped. The device may be made of neoprene orequivalent non-porous material compatible with the liquid to be appliedand is preferably flexible, although in some instances of application itmay be deemed desirable to make the device from a rigid material.

A hollow connector 26 is provided on the exterior side surface of thedistributor device for accommodating the attachment of the conduit 18.The hollow connector opens into the interior of the distributor device.

The conduit 18 is connected to a remote source of paint or other type ofliquid supply (not shown) and intervening between the conduit and theliquid supply is a valve means, shut-off device or needle valvearrangement of any suitable character, simply illustrated at 28, capableof being manually operated by the operator at will as he manipu latesthe rotary-powered brush implement 10. The conduit may be frabricatedfrom any suitable material compatible with the liquid to be applied.

The liquid distributor device 16 may also be provided with an integrallyformed spiral longitudinally extending embossing 30, the height andwidth of such embossing aiding in the distribution of paint or othertypes of liquid to the rotary brush bristle ends. The function of theembossing will be more fully described in the operation of therotary-powered brush implement.

Operation In the operation of the rotary-powered brush implement 10,paint or another type of liquid is conducted under pressure through theconduit 18 to the interior of the liquid distributor device 16 instraight-line or lineal force into contact with the bristle sidewall ofthe rotating rotary brush 14. The rotary motion of the brush generates acentrifugal force which tends to carry the paint around inside thedistributor device and whirl the paint outwardly or causes it to well upand fill the space between the brush sidewall and the inside wallsurface of the distributor device. The distributor wall surfacestatically opposes the centrifugally whirled paint to an extent lessthan what the paint would well up if unopposed. The added continuouslineal flow of paint through the conduit, coupled with the generatedcentrifugal, static aforementioned forces and gravity, causes the paintto flow between the distributor device and the bristle sidewall aroundand along the length of the bristle sidewall in a film-like path towardthe bristle ends for swirling application onto a work surface. Theoutward flare of the brush and distributor device, and the capillaryaction resulting from the contact of the brush and paint with a worksurface assist drawing the paint in the desired direction toward thework surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the capillary actionresulting from contact of the brush and paint with the work surface isthought to be primarily responsible to assist drawing the paint in thedirection toward the work surface away from the hub of the brush, alongwith the added effect of gravity.

The spacing between the liquid distributor device 16 and the sidewall ofthe rotary brush 14 may be varied by design in accordance with theflexible or nonflexible character of the distributor devise; thepresence or absence of the spiral embossing the consistency of the paintor liquid employed; the character of the work surface as effected byporosity, coarseness and the like; and the amount of paint or liquidwhich is desired to be applied on a given area of work surface.

If a given work surface area is of extremely porous character and thepaint or liquid to be applied is of rather thin consistency, a morecopious quantity of such paint or liquid may be required for applicationthan for a less porous surface or with a thicker paint or liquidconsistency. Larger quantities of paint or liquid may be delivered tothe bristle ends by providing the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (whereincorresponding reference numbers previously employed to identify likeelements are provided with double prime marks to denot the differentembodiment) with spiral embossing 30" on the inside surface of thedistributor device 16" and spacing the distributor device inside wallfrom the bristle sidewall of the brush 14" by the height of theembossing so that only the apex of the embossing engages such bristlesidewall. In such case, the distributor device could be made from arigid or flexible nonporous material. The pressure of the fluid flowthrough the conduit could also be increased accordingly so as tocontinuously feed the space 32 between the bristle sidewall and thedistributor device to provide a thicker film-like flow. The provision ofan embossing would also serve to reduce the amount of power necessary torotate the brush because there would be less drag between the brush andthe distributor device.

The spiral embossing may also be used on a flexible distributor devicewhereby the device closely hugs the bristle sidewall and leaves littlespace between the brush sidewall and distributor device, and the paintor liquid is delivered to the bristle ends via the action of therotating brush and the spiral embossing.

The primary purpose of the distributor device, whether with or withoutspiral embossing, is to maintain the paint or liquid substantially onthe outer circumference of the brush and direct the paint or liquidtoward the bristle ends. There may be instances, however, where it wouldbe deemed desirable to soak the bristles along the entire length, and,accordingly, a rigid deflector device designed to hug the bristlesidewall of the rotary brush may be in order. Such rigid deflectordevice may have a tendency to squeeze paint or liquid through thesidewall of the brush as well as direct paint or liquid around the outercircumference of the bristle sidewall as the brush rotates. The extentof such penetration obviously would also depend on the thickness of thebristle sidewall; the coarseness or firmness of the bristles and,accordingly, sparseness or density of such bristles; and the linealpressure flow of the paint or liquid.

The character of each work surface and that of the paint or liquid to beapplied thereto will dictate the design of the brush and liquiddistributor device to be employed. Experimentation with differentcombinations of brush, distributor device and the like, asaforedescribed, will show the operator the character of design ofrotarypowered brush implement suited for a particular work surface andfor a particular paint or liquid.

The brush rotation may be adjustably controlled by any conventionalmanner so as to rotate in the range of approximately to 300 revolutionsper minute, depending on such factors as paint consistency, work surfaceirregularity and the like. If the rotation is too fast and the paint ofa very thin consistency, the paint could be undesirably expelled fromthe bristle ends. Therefore, the rotation should always be such as toretain the paint at the bristle ends for subsequent swirling motion ontoa work surface. The brush rotation may be stopped and the pressure flowstopped to brush-stroke the paint onto the surface if the occasionshould dictate such action.

The method of application obviously differs from that shown in theStefano Patent No. 2,806,236 in at least one manner whereby the paint issprayed from the center of a rotating brush directly onto a work surfaceand the brush then spreads the paint already on the Work surface moreuniformly over such surface.

It should be recognized that although the rotary brush illustrated inthe drawings is hollow-centered, the distributor device could also beapplied to a brush having a full center; however, in the usual type ofpainting or liquid applying by a rotating brush, such painting isaccomplished mostly by the outer radial edge.

Conclusion The rotary-powered brush, distributor device and conduit aresimply and readily attached, detached and cleaned. Little fluid pressureis needed at the brush; only enough to cause a flow of the liquid. Itshould now be apparent that the rotary-powered brush implement, asillustrated in the drawings and described above would be especiallyeffective for irregular or rough surfaces; general maintenance ofbuildings, bridges, ironwork and the like; and particularly utilizablein application of prime coats of paint. The rotary-powered brushimplement is as fast as a conventional paint roller, versatile as a handbrush, easy to handle as a spray gun, and is capable of applying paintsor other liquids of varying consistencies.

While this invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth and as come within the scope of theinvention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A rotary-powered painting device comprising:

a motorized handle having a drive shaft;

a cup brush having a hub and bristles of predetermined length extendingfrom said hub, said brush being operatively connected to said driveshaft for rotation thereby;

and a paint distributor device comprising:

a cap non-rotatively connected to said motorized handle and extending inencircling manner over said hub and part way of the length of saidbristles in closely spaced relation to the outside periphery of saidbrush, said cap having an integrally formed spiral longitudinallyextending embossing of predetermined width in close contact with theoutside periphery of said brush and starting adjacent said hub andterminating adjacent the end edge of said cap;

and conduit means connected to said cap and having an outlet openingwithin said cap adjacent the bristle sidewall of said brush peripheryand adapted to conduct paint from a remote source under pressuretherethrough to said outlet opening; whereby the rotary motion of thebrush, and the spaced relation of the cap coupled with the close contactof said spiral embossing cooperate to conduct paint flowing underpressure from said outlet opening evenly around and along the outsideperiphery of said brush to the bristle ends for application of the paintto a work surface.

2. A rotary-powered painting device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcap and integrally formed spiral embossing are fabricated fromnon-porous flexible material.

3. A rotary-powered painting device comprising:

a motorized handle having a drive shaft;

a flared cup brush having a hub and bristles of predetermined lengthextending from said hub, said brush being operatively connected to saiddrive shaft for rotation thereby;

and a paint distributor device comprising:

a cup-shaped cap non-rotatively connected to said motorized handle andextending in encircling manner over said hub and part way of the lengthof said bristles in closely spaced relation to the outside periphery ofsaid brush, said cap having an integrally formed spiral longitudinallyextending embossing of predetermined width in close contact with theoutside periphery of said brush and starting adjacent said hub andterminating adjacent the end edge of said cap;

and conduit means connected to said cup-shaped cap and having an outletopening within said cap adjacent the bristle sidewall of said brushperiphery and adapted to conduct paint from a remote source underpressure therethrough to said outlet opening;

whereby the rotary motion of the brush, the flared cupshape of the brushand cap, and the spaced relation of the cap coupled with the closecontact of said spiral embossing cooperate to conduct paint flowingunder pressure from said outlet opening evenly around and along theoutside periphery of said brush to the bristle ends for application ofthe paint to a work surface.

4. A-rotary-powered painting device as defined in claim 3 wherein saidcup-shaped cap and integrally formed spiral embossing are fabricatedfrom nonporous flexible material.

5. A liquid distributor device for non-rotative attachment to arotary-powered cup brush comprising:

a cap for extending in encircling manner over, in close configurationto, and part way of the bristle length of said brush so that a portionof the brush bristles project beyond said cap, said cap havingpositioned on its internal surface an integrally formed spirallongitudinally extending embossing of predetermined width and height;

and conduit means connected to the exterior sidewall of said cap andhaving an outlet opening inside said cap, said conduit means adapted toconduct fluid therethrough from a remote liquid supply source.

6. A liquid distributor device as defined in claim 5 wherein said capand said integrally formed spiral embossing are formed of a non-porousflexible material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,046,586 7/1962Allen et al. 155O 3,099,028 7/1963 Ardito 15-50 3,121,896 2/1964 Allenet al. 15-50 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,081 9/ 1957 Austria.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner EDWARD L. ROBERTS, AssistantExaminer.

1. A ROTARY-POWERED PAINTING DEVICE COMPRISING: A MOTORIZED HANDLEHAVING A DRIVE SHAFT; A CUP BRUSH HAVING A HUB AND BRISTLES OFPREDETERMINED LENGTH EXTENDING FROM SAID HUB, SAID BRUSH BEINGOPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREBY; AND APAINT DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE COMPRISING: A CAP NON-ROTATIVELY CONNECTED TOSAID MOTORIZED HANDLE AND EXTENDING IN ENCIRCLING MANNER OVER SAID HUBAND PART WAY OF THE LENGTH OF SAID BRISTLE IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATION TOTHE OUTSIDE PERIPHERY OF SAID BRUSH, SAID CAP HAVING AN INTEGRALLYFORMED SPIRAL LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING EMBOSSING OF PREDETERMINED WIDTHIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE PERIPHERY OF SAID BRUSH AND STARTINGADJACENT SAID HUB AND TERMINATING ADJACENT THE END EDGE OF SAID CAP; ANDCONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CAP AND HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING WITHINSAID CAP ADJACENT THE BRISTLE SIDEWALL OF SAID BRUSH PERIPHERY ANDADAPTED TO CONDUCT PAINT FROM A REMOTE SOURCE UNDER PRESSURETHERETHROUGH TO SAID OUTLET OPENING; WHEREBY THE ROTARY MOTION OF THEBRUSH, AND THE SPACED RELATION OF THE CAP COUPLED WITH THE CLOSE CONTACTOF SAID SPIRAL EMBOSSING COOPERATE TO CONDUCT PAINT FLOWING UNDERPRESSURE FROM SAID OUTLET OPENING EVENLY AROUND AND ALONG THE OUTSIDEPERIPHERY OF SAID BRUSH TO THE BRISTLE ENDS FOR APPLICATION OF THE PAINTTO A WORK SURFACE.